The grinding world of politics from the Los Angeles Daily News

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New DWP commissioners approved

A neighborhood council activist, a former congressmen, the head of a foundation and an attorney won City Council approval on Wednesday to the board of Water and Power Commissioners as part of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s efforts to reform the utility.

The nomination of Jill Banks Barad, former Rep. Mel Levine, Michael Fleming and William Funderburk was approved on a 15-0 vote.

Barad, a political consultant who co-founded the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils, drew particular praise for being the first commissioner from the neighborhood councils to serve on the panel overseeing the DWP.

But, she said, she is not there to represent only homeowners, but all customers.

“I think we need to make sure we reach out ot the business community so we address their concerns as well,” Barad said, adding she believes the commission also needs to have more involvement with Rate Payer Advocate Fred Pickel.

Levine, who served in Congress from 1983-93 and then practiced law, said he believes it is important for the agency to be more open to its customers as well as more cooperative with other city agencies.

Fleming is executive director of the David Bohnett Foundation and teaches at UCLA. Funderburk is a partner at the lawfirm of Castellon and Funderburk that deals with government regulatory compliance.

Several council members raised a number of issues to be pursued including continued pension reform, energy costs, risk management and eliminating bills to parks and libraries.

Councilman Mitch Englander said the four, who join Commissioner Christina Noonan on the panel, were taking on “an incredible responsibility.

“There are two issues that affect people each and every day. Their streets and their Department of Water and Power bill,” Englander said.